Crowd gets fired up about new station in Simi Valley

Nine-year-old Eric Lewis wants to be a police officer. But as the Simi Valley boy looked through the new locker rooms in Fire Station 47, he considered a career change. "Firefighter? Maybe," he said, looking at the equipment hanging inside the new lockers. Station 47 is the first new fire station the Ventura County Fire Department has built in more than a decade, and it's in a strategic spot in Simi Valley where it more easily can battle brush fires in eastern Ventura County.

Wayne Farber, captain of Fire Station 47, speaks with visitors inspecting the new station Monday during the station's public dedication ceremony in Simi Valley.

Special to The Star

Visitor Chris Rodino and his daughter Natalia look at sleeping quarters Monday at Fire Station 47 during the public dedication ceremony in Simi Valley.

Special to The Star

Visitor Chris Visage and his sons Peyton (left) and Parker look at fire engines Monday during the public dedication ceremony of Ventura County Fire Station 47 in Simi Valley.

Special to The Star

Visitors inspect Fire Station 47 during the public dedication ceremony of the new station Monday in Simi Valley.